Flo Milli finds herself entangled in a legal scuffle as a copyright lawsuit rocks the music industry. The dispute revolves around her 2023 hit “Never Lose Me,” which allegedly features a beat that was under exclusive license to a Baltimore man four years prior. The lawsuit, filed on a Friday, targets not just Flo Milli (or Tamia Monique Carter) but also Detroit rappers Babyface Ray (Marcellus Rayvon Register) and 42 Dugg (Dion Marquise Hayes) for their track “Ron Artest,” which Milli sampled for “Never.”
Shamar Deal, a self-proclaimed songwriter and recording artist hailing from Baltimore, claims ownership of the beat known as “Youu,” produced by Gerreaux Katana. Deal purports that he acquired the beat through the rap instrumental marketplace Traktrain in 2019, securing an exclusive license spanning ten years. However, Katana allegedly breached this agreement in 2023 by re-licensing “Youu” to Babyface Ray and 42 Dugg for “Ron Artest,” subsequently leading to Flo Milli’s incorporation of it into “Never Lose Me.”
The legal battle intensifies as Deal’s attorney, Larry Zerner, asserts that the unauthorized use of the composition in both tracks constitutes a blatant infringement of Deal’s exclusive rights, prompting him to seek legal redress and financial compensation. Deal aims to recover a minimum of $1 million from Flo Milli, Babyface Ray, 42 Dugg, and Katana, while also holding EMPIRE and Sony Music Entertainment accountable as they distributed the contentious songs in question.
“Never Lose Me” enjoyed chart success in 2023 and 2024, achieving lofty positions on various music charts including Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay, Hot Rap Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and Streaming Songs. The track amassed a staggering 947.5 million on-demand official streams globally, with a significant portion originating from the United States, according to figures from Luminate.
Despite the legal drama unfolding, attempts to solicit responses from the defendants or their representatives regarding the lawsuit have been met with silence as of now. The music industry stands at a crossroads as legal battles like these illuminate the complex web of rights and ownership within the creative landscape. Flo Milli’s trajectory, once marked by musical triumphs, now faces the sobering reality of legal wrangling that could potentially reshape her career.
This copyright controversy serves as a sobering reminder of the intricate legal tapestry that underpins the music industry, shedding light on the often-overlooked battles fought behind the scenes of chart-topping hits. As the saga unfolds, the echoes of creative ownership reverberate through the industry, posing tough questions about artistic integrity, intellectual property rights, and fair compensation in a rapidly evolving musical landscape. The outcome of this legal skirmish could have far-reaching implications for the parties involved and set a precedent for future disputes within the realm of music creation and distribution.
